Chart

Updated: 05/01/2023 by Computer Hope

In general, a chart is a graphical representation of data. Charts allow users to see what the results of data to better understand and predict current and future data. The picture below contains an example of a column chart displaying the number of unique visitors Computer Hope has received between the years of 2000 and 2006. In this example, you'll notice a gentle increase of users without reading any data.

Chart overview

Tip

In Microsoft Excel, pressing Alt+F1 inserts a chart.

Types of charts

There are a wide variety of charts available to display data. The list below contains those that are popular and supported by many programs.

Embedded chart vs. Chart sheet

In Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet programs, there are two types of charts: an embedded chart and chart sheet. An embedded chart is a chart object that can be inserted into a worksheet. A chart sheet is a chart that is a sheet of its own.

To insert an embedded chart, use the Insert option in the spreadsheet program you have available to you.

To insert a chart sheet, right-click the worksheet tabs at the bottom of the worksheet and click Insert and then Chart.

Axis, Histogram, Spreadsheet terms, Statistics, X-axis, Y-axis